Editorial: GOP needs to get a life

Before we continue piling dirt on the decomposing carcass of what was the Republican Party, which seems to be a daily ritual since Election Day, let us stop and take a deep breath.

As the former unofficial slogan of a successful Democratic presidential run in the 1990s proclaimed, it’s the economy, stupid.

That catch phrase still holds true, and — ironically — should have meaning for Republicans in the future.

To a certain extent — and even Democrats would probably agree — President Barack Obama deflected a significant degree of political blame for the nation’s wheezing economy because of the problems he inherited from the previous Republican administration, and deservedly so, to an extent.

However, Democrats have another four years to achieve some sort of economic progress.

What if they don’t?

If there is one constant in the nation’s political history, it is that political power remains strong until things get so bad that Americans bring change at the ballot box — and both parties have seen this happen.

Do Republicans need to make changes? Yes, but in perception more than reality.

The GOP needs to prove it is more than rich old white guys resembling Rich Uncle Pennybags, the top hat-wearing “Monopoly” mascot. After all, it is not as if Democrats — with their share of the wealthy — are not as interested in a buck as Republicans. Just look at the millions both parties poured into the presidential campaign.

It won’t be easy, but Republicans can make progress on issues such as illegal immigration and health care without coming off as elitist. It can be done.

The GOP needs so such transformation on economic issues, though.

While it is true that Republicans tried to hammer the president on the economy, let’s be honest — the president got a bit of a free pass because of his GOP predecessor, while Democrats succeeded in stereotyping the GOP as a stiff-necked country club.

The Democratic nominee in 2016 will not have this economic advantage (provided the economy does not improve), while the GOP has work to do as far as perception.

Speaking of 2016, the GOP has several promising possibilities (Chris Christie, Marco Rubio), while Democrats counter with ... Joe Biden or Hillary Clinton?

Should the nation’s economic malaise continue into 2016 — and if Republicans repair their image — we’ll see how truly lifeless the GOP really is.